The Truth About Sun Damage & SPF

When I read this factoid (in the image above) I could not believe it. Most of the sun damage seen today is from driving! This means sun damage is something all of us are going to experience to some degree throughout our lives. Fortunately, there is a lot we can do to support our bodies in the fight against UV damage, it just requires daily effort.

In this article, I want to address what sun damage means, how you can protect your body's skin from UV damage, and some common myths about UV damage, SPF, and pigmentation.

Let’s define sun damage so we are all on the same page as far as what too much sun means versus what we do need:

Sun Damage represents a spectrum changes observed on the skin that directly results from exposure and overexposure to sun and UV light. The effects of this exposure range anywhere from skin darkening, freckling, to full blown skin cancer. The sun is not the only cause for this type of damage.May 14, 2015

 

What Is Sun Damage On The Skin? - Sanova Dermatology, https://www.sanovadermatology.com › Skin Cancer

Notice how that definition mentions “exposure and overexposure”, which leads me to believe that even a little UV radiation from the sun is going to cause changes to our skin, not necessarily ones we can see, but changes nonetheless. This is an important point to understand if we are to eventually discuss prevention. Why you might ask?

Recently, I have heard a lot of people say that they don’t need to wear SPF if they aren’t going to leave the house. Much of this comes from our major work/lifestyle shift where COVID kept many of us at home, and now are still working from home/hybrid. However, all of it comes from the idea that the sun is the only reason we need SPF. It isn’t.

While I agree with them that they are getting less UV exposure from the sun, they still are getting it, not to mention Blue Light damage from all our screens. Working from home, beign a human in this world of smart phones can mean we are on our screens and cell phones more than before. Those little (or maybe very big) screens emit Blue Light which falls on the same spectrum as UV rays like those from the sun. Sounds wild?

Research shows blue light from electronic devices can lead to changes in your skin cells, including cell shrinkage and death. These speed up the aging process. Even exposures as short as 60 minutes can trigger these changes. Too much blue light could also lead to pigmentation.

Exposing Effects Of Blue Light On Skin - WebMD, www.webmd.com. Oct 5, 2020

Alas, it’s true! Starring at our computers all day also has physiological effects on our skin. Do you know what helps protect against that? The same stuff we use to protect our skin from the sun! More on that in a bit though, we still need to break down what this exposure actually does to the skin.

Now, I want you to take a look at this photo. He worked his same route for decades, driving and delivering mail. He didn't wear SPF and the sun hit the left side of his face the entire route. What I call this in the treatment room is “Drivers Side Sun Damage” 😳 yup. That's all from sun damage.

This is what happens to our skin from exposure to the sun, repeatedly, over time. The UV rays break down collagen and elastin production in our skin, as well as affect our melanocytes, or pigment-making cells. This repeated exposure can lead to a “wearing down” of the collagen and elastin fibers resulting in premature aging, excessive wrinkling, the depth of wrinkles, and pigmentation. I know this seems extreme, and you might still be thinking to yourself, “but I don’t drive every day, I don’t leave the house, I put on SPF in the morning.” Check out an oldie but goodie reel on my Instagram HERE where I explain this very myth: that applying SPF is only for being outside, make sure to read the caption!

This gentleman is an extreme case, yes, but the best example to demonstrate what repeated daily exposure to the sun through a windshield can do to our skin. Pigmentation is just a part of it! 

Ok, by now there might be a few things about sun damage you learned, some you already knew, and maybe looking in the mirror wondering if there is a light at the end of this sun-shaming-bound-to-get-damaged-skin tunnel. There is!

The truth is we need the sun. It plays such a big role in our lives and bodies many internal and topical functions. Without it, we would die. Too much of it, could kill us. Like many things in life, it’s all about balance. Getting your sun safely is important for your well-being, emphasis on the word safe. Yes, I am going to talk about SPF, but there are many more ways you can incorporate sun-smart skills into your daily habits!

It's time to talk prevention and protection. SPF. Probably one of the most important body care items we could use that has so much debate and conspiracy around it. Let’s talk SPF and truly understand why this plays such a big role in our skin’s defense from UV radiation.

What is SPF?

SPF, or Sun Protection Factor, is the amount of sun-protecting ingredients that are found in the product you are applying. SPF ingredients either block, shield, or absorb and disperse the sun’s rays on your skin. Physical SPF ingredients, Zinc and Titanium Dioxide, are the ones that block and shield. Chemical SPF ingredients, these are the ones with crazy names like oxybenzone and octocrylene, are the type that absorb the heat into the skin and disperse it.

Ever wonder what the number on the bottle means? It's part of a math equation to let you know how long you can be outside:

Take the time you would normally burn in the sun without protection, 20 minutes will normally produce redness on a light skinned individual. Multiply this number by the SPF of your product. Example: with an SPF 15 x 20 minutes of sun time = 300 … is how many minutes you can stay in the sun without burning.

 

SPF Sun Protection Factor | How Long Can I Stay In The Sun?https://www.skin911.com › pages › spf-sun-protection-...

Quick review. There are two types of SPF: Physical SPF, remember Zinc and Titanium Dioxide, and Chemical SPF, including but not limited to Oxybenzone, Avobenzone, Octisalate, Octocrylene, Homosalate, or Octinoxate.

Physical SPF works by physically blocking or shielding the skin from the sun’s rays, acting as an extra armor to your skin’s surface. These ingredients are great for everyone, especially sensitive skin, those with Rosacea, or anyone who thinks they are “allergic” to SPF (it’s probably the chemical ones they're allergic to…).

So we’ve talked about SPF and the equation to figure out how long your SPF is protecting you from burning. Before we breakdown that number stamped after SPF, there are a few notes I want to make about SPF and wearing it:

• You will still tan even if you are wearing SPF.

• Your skin will also feel and express some signs of aging regardless if you are wearing SPF if you are in the sun for prolonged periods of time.

• SPF can protect you from more than just the sun, it also acts as an additional layer to your skin’s natural barrier, ZInc is a wound and skin healer, and SPF provides some protection from Blue Light rays.

• Physical SPF is not toxic, they are known skin healers

• Chemical SPF ingredients can be toxic to the skin and ocean, and are known to cause irritation in the skin and what most people are “allergic” to when they say that they are allergic or have a reaction to SPF.

Ok, all that said, let’s talk SPF! So what is that number on the bottle and should we all be using SPF 100?!

The SPF number tells you how long the sun's UV radiation would take to redden your skin when using the product exactly as directed versus the amount of time without any sunscreen. So ideally, with SPF 30 it would take you 30 times longer to burn than if you weren't wearing sunscreen.

 

Ask The Expert: Does A High SPF Protect My Skin Better?https://www.skincancer.org › Blog, Jun 9, 2020

It kinda goes back to that equation, but is there a big difference between SPF 30 and an SPF of 50? Not really…

A sunscreen with SPF 30 will protect you from around 96.7% of UVB rays, whereas an SPF of 50 means protection from about 98% of UVB rays. Anything beyond SPF 50 makes very little difference in terms of risk of sun damage, and no sunscreens offer 100% protection from UVB rays.

The Difference Between SPF 30 And SPF 50, https://www.kinesysactive.com, Aug 8, 2021

I want to be clear that I am putting all these sources in here because I want you to know that I am not the only one on the SPF soapbox trying to protect your skin. The truth is, there is such a small difference between SPF 30 and 50 that it honestly doesn’t matter what number is on your bottle as long as it's above a 15, what matters is that you use it and reapply! Also, note that it is mentioning only UVB rays, the sun emits another ray, UVA rays. When shopping for an SPF look for 'broad spectrum' as that means its protecting your skin from both UVb and UVA rays.

Non-SPF Sun Protection Options:

Even though I 100% encourage you to wear SPF daily, there are many other ways to protect your skin and body from sun damage.

• Hats & Sun-Brellas: More than just a fashion statement, the sun hat, and even more extra sun-umbrella can really help shield you from harmful UV rays. I keep a paper-based umbrella in my car for any sunny day walks. The other perk of using an umbrella is that it also casts a shadow on the ground and blocks the reflection of UV rays on cement/snow/asphalt that intensifies UV damage.

• SPF Clothes: I came across an amazing clothing vendor at a Skincare Tradeshow whose pieces all have SPF in them, at least a 50! I bought two scarves and a hoodie that was way too small for me so I gave that away. I keep one of those scarves in my car on the driver’s side door just in case I get stuck in traffic on a sunny day. I then wrap my arm or lay the scarf on my lap to protect my skin from sun damage and burning.

• Make Your Own: I shared a simple DIY SPF recipe on my Instagram a while back. Check that out if you are looking for a more ‘natural SPF’.

It’s Not All Bad…

I don’t want you to finish reading this blog and think that there are no benefits to the sun and it’s all just damaging. So in my research, I came across a couple of health benefits to having moderate sun exposure in your daily life:

1. Vitamin D Synthesis - We can all agree that the sun plays a major role in our body’s production and synthesizing of the nutrient Vitamin D. This can also lead to stronger, healthier bones as Vitamin D plays a role in our calcium helping to prevent brittle bone disease.

2. Better Sleep - It’s true! Our body is triggered to produce melatonin (a sleep-inducing hormone) check this out:

Research indicates that an hour of natural light in the morning will help you sleep better. Sunshine regulates your circadian rhythm by telling your body when to increase and decrease your melatonin levels. So, the more daylight exposure you can get, the better your body will produce melatonin when it’s time to go to sleep.

 

‘7 Benefits To Better Sleep’, selecthealth.org

3. Weight Loss - This is more tied to early morning activity, like waking up and taking a walk, but still waking up early and greeting the sun will inspire you to start moving!

4. Immune Support - Vitamin D also plays a role in your immune response and system. So getting a little sun is a really good thing!

I am sure there are more benefits to moderate sun exposure and ways to protect your skin from damage and UV radiation, but think of this as a launching point. You now have all the information, ideas on what types of SPF you might want to use, and even non-SPF ideas! My hope is that now you are not just informed but feel empowered and inspired to be proactive in your skin’s health.

Head over to my Pinterest too for more skin TLC ideas, and make sure you’re following my Instagram to get daily doses of skincare and self-care tips! As always, be good to your skin and even better to your whole self.

xx eri